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User Reviews

Review 7/31/2013 8:33:55 AM by :
I made this cake for my grandmother's 75th birthday, needless to say she loved it! She loved it so much I had to make another because she did not want to share. Every time I make this cake I have to make 2 so that everyone feels that got a fair share. Thank you for this amazing recipe.

Review 7/30/2013 10:54:51 PM by :
This is the best chocolate cake that I have ever made or tasted! I had enough batter and icing to make two cakes. I took the second cake to work and my co-workers now think I'm some kind of chocolate cake baking genius! Thank you! haha!

Review 7/28/2013 8:22:19 AM by :
I only made the frosting but it was the best chocolate frosting we have ever had. Way better than what you can buy in the store, and only a few ingredients!

Review 7/25/2013 5:00:18 PM by :
Just pulled this out of the oven, smells and looks great.Very easy to make.This will become my go to desert from now on

Review 7/24/2013 9:11:19 PM by :
Amazing

Review 7/17/2013 2:32:17 AM by :

Review 7/8/2013 7:35:58 PM by :
I have made this for many years, best chocolate cake recipe I have found. I manage vacation rentals, and this is the cake I leave for guests as a personalized welcome!. They have all said it delicious, I don't even put frosting on this cake as it is so delicious without it! Best cake ever!

Review 7/7/2013 6:56:17 PM by :
So glad I found this recipe. Best chocolate cake ever!!

Review 7/3/2013 4:37:18 PM by :

Review 6/30/2013 6:31:24 PM by :
I made this cake with gluten free flour and soy milk and it was delicious! My family devoured it. (Including my non gluten-free family members.) I can only imagine how great the dairy, gluten-full version is!

Review 6/28/2013 12:21:55 AM by :
I have made this cake twice, both for birthday cakes, and it was amazing. The cake is dense and moist and the frosting is perfect. I had lots of compliments on both cakes and it's super easy.

Review 6/27/2013 6:01:10 PM by :
My nana gave me this recipe as a little girl and I lost it over the years, but I remembered it had a cup of boiling water and that's how I found this wonderful chocolate cake recipe after twenty years!

Review 6/16/2013 8:20:13 PM by :
What a scrumptious and too easy recipe! I baked the cake and made the frosting as subscribed and the cake disappeared within hours! A week later I added a box of instant pudding in the cake and it was super moist. I also substituted the Hershey's Cocoa in the frosting with 2 melted 4.25oz. bars of Hershey's Special Dark, and we couldn't tell the difference. This is the easiest and least expensive chocolate cake I have ever made and the chocoholics in my family gives Hershey's the praise hahahah.

Review 6/1/2013 12:28:57 AM by :
I made this for my family today and they LOVED it! It's really moist and I actually might do it for my kids birthday party this coming October!! It's amazing and I love how good the icing and cake is. Overall my favorite. The only down side, is that I made cupcakes instead and as soon as I took them out, they went flat at the top, but the taste was awesome and I still liked them overall.

Review 5/29/2013 10:59:40 PM by :
This cake is so moist and tastes great!! It's so simple to make too. I will use this whenever I need a chocolate cake. No more box cake mixes!

Review 5/24/2013 12:16:19 PM by :
Literally the most amazing cake ever created in the history of man kind. I could literally eat this cake for days upon days upon day upon days. I made this cake for a birthday and the kids at the birthday just starting shoving it down their gullets and starting screaming with happiness. I'm so glad I chose this cake because I love cake. I choose the best cakes and this one looked the best, so I judged the book by its' cover and went for it. It was just as good tasting as it was looking. My son told me "Hey dad, that's a good looking cake." I chuckled with the response of, "I know son, I know."

Review 5/23/2013 11:00:22 PM by :

Review 5/20/2013 5:06:12 PM by :
Great as a birthday cake.

Review 5/17/2013 2:30:13 PM by :
I wrote that this is a simple delicious recipe but do not freeze it. It becomes a disaster.

Review 5/11/2013 9:30:08 AM by :
Great moist cake! I substituted the 1 cup water for brewed coffee. It came out wonderful. My family's favorite birthday cake.

Review 4/29/2013 9:43:57 PM by :
This is the one and only chocolate cake my son requests EVERY year for his birthday - must be served with a tall glass of milk! Absolutely delicious :)

Review 4/28/2013 7:26:14 PM by :
This cake was sooo moist and tasty I want to make another right now.

Review 4/28/2013 3:42:07 PM by :
This cake is my all time favorite and is so easy to make. The first cake I made in 1945 was the only chocolate cake in my recipe box, it is no longer made in my house.

Review 4/25/2013 3:34:41 PM by :
WONDERFUL CAKE MY HUSBAND LOVES IT.

Review 4/22/2013 10:20:35 PM by :
This recipe is my family's favorite! Two things I do differently - I use coffee instead of water and I use buttermilk instead of regular milk. You cannot beat this recipe, it is the best.

Review 4/21/2013 2:51:48 PM by :
I made this cake a week ago but changed out the frosting for a dark chocolate ganache frosting. Oh My WORD! It was awesome. I made this in cupcake format for church today and everyone went beserck over them. I added on top of the ganache some with fresh coconut, others with chopped pecans and others with just the topping. One lady told me her eyes rolled back in her head when she tasted it and said it was best cupcake she has ever tasted in her life. Way to go Hershey!

Review 4/19/2013 11:32:37 AM by :
This is my favorite go to chocolate cake. I never have a problem with it and it disappears very quickly . My son says I need to improve the shelf life of it because it never lasts long enough,

Review 4/14/2013 1:41:54 PM by :
After reading some reviews I was excited and nervous. Some loved it and some didn't. This is THE best chocolate cake ever! So easy and the frosting is to die for! If it didn't come out right then you did something wrong. You also have account for humidity and temperature in your area. Measure everything correctly and the right way. If its too runny you forgot something or didnt add enough flour in. If it baked over and got messy you put too much batter in it. Very simple recipe and mine came out perfect! Going to make for birthdays from now on!

Review 4/14/2013 10:39:49 AM by :
Yummy! And, very easy to follow.

Review 4/11/2013 11:11:58 AM by :
I love making this for any occasion. My daughter who is allergic to soy, yet LOVES chocolate can eat this any time. It has become a staple in our home. Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe. Its just that darn good.

Review 4/10/2013 1:42:48 PM by :

Review 3/31/2013 8:58:44 AM by :
My grandmother made this for my 2 cousins and my sister and I all the time. She used to have to make 2 because the first was always gone within 5 minutes of us getting there. The trick to this cake is to leave it in the pan you are cooking in and frost it in the same pan.

Review 3/30/2013 1:13:30 AM by :
.. perfect for my kids...

Review 3/29/2013 3:12:38 PM by :
This was fairly easy to make - using ingredients I already had hiding in my cupboards! The cake itself came out light and springy, but the flavor is very rich! It is not only satisfying to make a cake from scratch, but delicious to boot :)

Review 3/29/2013 2:44:28 PM by :
This chocolate cake is the best ever! Everyone loved it! I will always use this recipe! Thanks!

Review 3/27/2013 12:21:13 AM by :
Just not that great. Too runny, cooked over the cupcake pans and were flat. More like a pancake batter than cake batter. Collapsed when removed from the pan. The flavor was OK, but nothing amazing. Box mixes have better flavor and results. I will keep shopping for my chocolate cake recipe.

Review 3/26/2013 11:30:14 AM by :
This is my go-to chocolate cake recipe. Very easy with great results. Everyone is impressed when I make this.

Review 3/25/2013 1:36:12 PM by :
I have dairy allergies and I simply replace the milk with water. This is hands down the best, richest, moistest chocolate cake I have ever had. I will never go back to boxed cake again.

Review 3/23/2013 6:52:49 PM by :
The cake was a bit messy. Overflowed my cake pans, and was very messy to get out. The frosting was a bit running, so I added some more powdered sugar. But none of that matter once everyone dug into the cake. It was wonderful! I will be making this cake again. Very moist and rich.

Review 3/21/2013 8:10:56 PM by :
the cake cooked well, but tasted like a sugar free cake. the frosting wasnt enough to cover the cake, so i had to use my chocolate mousse i was saving for something else. looked nice, but not sweet enough for a chocolate cake.

Review 3/11/2013 7:00:46 PM by :
I have used this for years. It is the best.

Review 3/8/2013 8:27:37 PM by :
I have made this recipe three times now and I can't get enough! This cake is rich, chocolatey and the frosting is perfection. On top of that, the cake is easy! I am not exactly a wiz in the kitchen but this cake comes out perfectly every time. Highly recommend this recipe!

Review 3/6/2013 8:39:33 PM by :
My family and friends just love this cake. My grandkids always request for me to bake it for them. I frost it with chocolate frosting and then frost it again with cool whip. Its the best!

Review 3/5/2013 5:24:43 AM by :

Review 2/18/2013 7:01:57 AM by :
This was an amazing cake! So chocolatey and deliscious. My family made me promise to never use a box mix again. Ever.

Review 2/13/2013 7:52:00 PM by :
The best cake recipe I've ever made, so simple yet so delicious, and the frosting recipe compliments it perfectly, great for the chocolate lover's and children. Easy to make and always a hit!

Review 2/11/2013 2:44:10 PM by :
Amazing!

Review 1/29/2013 6:17:03 PM by evilcloud8274:
Seriously, why would anyone eat a box mix when you can quickly and easily throw together a chocolate cake like this which is delicious. I make this or the "Dark Moist Chocolate Cake" (very similar) almost every week. Every member of my family can make it; my children could make this by themselves by middle school. YUM!

Review 1/23/2013 6:29:45 PM by :
I've never been able to make cakes from scratch and have them turn out right. This recipe is so easy and always turns out perfect.

Review 1/11/2013 3:12:31 PM by :
This is the best cake EVER-hands down!!! The only thing i do differntly to my cake is instead of using boiling water-I use boiling Concentrated coffee (the stronger the better) and small box of vanilla pudding mix added to the dry..............fantastic cake!

Review 1/5/2013 10:43:00 AM by :
There is no comparison. I never want any other chocolate cake again. Moist and decadent.

Review 12/30/2012 1:09:32 PM by :
I made this cake for my fiance for his birthday. He always gets the Hershey cake at Denny's and I was trying to duplicate it. Well, it came out super chocolatey, and almost too sweet for his taste. He also said it wasn't airy and fluffy as other box cakes I've made. I also thought the frosting was too sweet. Overall, the cake was okay.

Review 12/26/2012 1:24:52 PM by :
Scrumptious! This was the first time trying this recipe and it was a hit with everyone.

Review 12/22/2012 10:22:07 PM by :
I bought this cake knowing I love hersheys chocolate, but had no idea how mouth watering, melts in your mouth goodness awaited. My twin is a chocolate lover and ate half of the cake in one sitting. Thank you...what a treat.

Review 12/19/2012 9:45:15 AM by :
This is the only chocolate recipe I use. I made it for a grooms cake I was asked to make. I was asked to make a wedding cake for another wedding plus this cake for a grooms cake. Everyone at wedding said it tasted better than a popular bakery in town. I have so many request for it.

Review 12/18/2012 4:04:52 PM by :
Hands down the best chocolate cake EVER!! I have been making this cake 2 years now. Everyone loves it and asks me to make it for them! It's simple,moist and oh so good! My husband didn't like chocolate cake until he ate this cake! It is now his favorite cake!

Review 12/13/2012 10:24:54 PM by :
This cake was amazing! My husband said this cake has officially beat out my famous german chocolate cake. I used this cake at my 1 year old's birthday party and it was a hit with the adults and kids!

Review 12/13/2012 12:23:14 PM by :
Chocolate cake is not my favorite but after i made that one, oh god how amazing and easy that was! This is my 1st time to bake and what an experience, this recipe made me love baking. The only down side that everyone that tasted it became a fan so people are asking me for it all the time! and to say the truth, i love making it :))

Review 12/1/2012 6:34:44 PM by :
BEST CAKE EVER!!!! i JUST MADE THIS TODAY AND ATE A PIECE AND ALL I CAN SAY IS YUM!!!!

Review 11/30/2012 7:35:52 PM by :
I have used this recipe many times and have never had a complaint, its easy and quick and I will never use boxed cake mix ever again :)

Review 11/30/2012 6:48:02 PM by :

Review 11/19/2012 4:10:06 PM by :
Do not skip the frosting. It makes this cake so moist and it really brings out the chocolate flavor. Best chocolate cake I ever made!

Review 10/29/2012 5:49:49 PM by :
This turns out amazing every time I make it. I just made it for my son's b-day party and my step-mom told me that it tasted like an expensive cake that you would pay $6 for a piece at a restaurant. Love this cake!

Review 10/28/2012 3:05:11 PM by :
This was to die for as my children said. thank you it was great .

Review 10/15/2012 1:18:59 PM by :
I made this cake because I love chocolate cakes, but my husband doesn't like chocolate cake or frosting. He ate about half of the cake in less than 3 days. I gave our next door neighbor 4-slices and he came back for more. My husband said he never thought a chocolate cake or frosting could be that good. It was the best cake ever. Brenda A. We rate it 5 stars.

Review 10/14/2012 8:09:59 AM by :

Review 10/9/2012 8:49:43 AM by :
This cake was fabulous! Very moist. I don't need to buy another chocolate cake mix. Used vanilla/orange frosting on it.

Review 8/18/2012 6:57:50 PM by :
I have made this cake several times and it is awesome, the kids love it!

Review 8/14/2012 11:47:44 PM by :
The name says it all! Been making this for decades. An all time favorite, no fail recipe. As for issues with baking soda in reviews I read, I can say that I once used a "store brand" soda without success. I will never again use any other than the well known a

Review 6/30/2012 2:06:24 AM by :
This cake is so easy and so delicious. It is my go to recipe for chocolate cake. My hubby, who doesn't care for chocolate, loves it. I often frost it with 7 minute frosting or with vanilla buttercream, but the frosting in the recipe is great too. Also, if you want a darker flavor, you can sub strong, hot coffee for the hot water. It is always a hit, no matter where I take it.

Review 3/29/2012 3:37:45 PM by :
This is by far the most requested recipe I make. It is phenomenal! But here's the deal... do not try altering it. It will not work in a 9x13 pan or in two 8" rounds. It must be 9" rounds; if your batter is overflowing then you are not using 9" rounds. It also seems to be better the next day after I have left it sit in a glass covered cake pedestal over night; it seems to get more moist and gooey. I really like how the cake bakes flat and heavy, so I don't have to trim the center off to make an even 2 layer cake.

Review 11/26/2011 6:00:00 PM by gailfrances:
I have been making this cake for many years and it is the most requested cake I make...and I make lots of cakes! You can't go wrong with this one. Try it, you'll love it.

Review 10/26/2011 3:00:01 PM by bitsybet:
I made this cake for an Oktoberfest celebration and it was delicious. The only thing I would recommend is lining the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper and then grease it since my one layer stuck to the bottom of the pan. The texture and taste was excellent. My husband and guests complimented me on the cake, so this isn't just a one person review.

Review 10/20/2011 9:00:00 AM by kkk123kkk:
Wonderful cake!!!

Review 12/18/2010 4:00:00 PM by funhealth:
I've been using this exact recipe less 1 cup sugar for a few years and it never fails. The combination of the cake and the amazing frosting...heaven! Like another reviewer mentioned, be sure to barely melt the butter to keep the frosting from separating and you'll churn out this fudgy goodness that is hard to beat.
Thank you Hershey's!

Review 10/12/2010 11:20:10 AM by twilightzonejude:
I truely love this cake, so moist, not to dense not to light JUST PERFECT !

Review 9/28/2010 6:16:53 PM by Vanilla Cake:
one of the best cakes! rich, moist, and chocolaty!

Review 9/18/2010 5:01:02 PM by micky993:
My daughter I & I prepared this cake because she was bored and I was home to hear her. It took less than 1/2 hour to prepare the cake & frosting. She had a great time & when we were done, we had a delicious chocolate cake & even more delicious frosting!!!

Review 9/16/2010 10:49:42 AM by stephspov:
We are dark chocolate fans, so I used Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa instead for my 10 year old daughter's birthday party. The girls LOVED it! They said it was the best cake they ever had, and wanted me to give their moms the recipe. So, I made it again for my son's birthday and even the adults loved this cake! It's moist and wonderful. I will make this cake again, and I will recommend it to all my chocolate lover friends!

Review 8/31/2010 11:02:30 PM by afuf12345:
Sooo amazingly good and easy to make!!!!

Review 8/28/2010 6:59:05 PM by jbirdntx:
I'm more of a cook than a baker, but this is by far the best and easiest scratch cake I've found. Classic, classic chocolate cake & frosting. TIP: Use good quality REAL vanilla extract. Definitely worth it.

Review 8/27/2010 11:05:58 PM by haunterkarl:
Watch your baking soda and it will be great!!!! Okay, yes, this is by far the best tasting chocolate cake I've come across. However, all these reviews about the cake exploding in the oven, very true. Adjust your baking soda accordingly. When I first made this, I put in the amount of baking soda written in this recipe and the stupid cake was like one of those fourth of July charcoal snakes that just keeps growing and turns your sidewalk black. I changed the baking soda to 1/2 teaspoon instead of 1 1/2, which seems absolutely ridiculously high to me, but I'm at a high altitude and no humidity so 1/2 teaspoon works for me. For those of you with it blowing up in your oven, lower your baking soda and you'll see a difference. You won't regret giving it a second chance

Review 8/21/2010 5:32:58 PM by vivianarenee2012:
This recipe is making me clean my oven again! The batter was very thin and exploded, literally, in my oven. This recipe, other than the frosting, is far from perfect. Don't recommend.

Review 8/19/2010 7:06:11 PM by blackdogs:
I have been baking this cake since I got married 21 years ago. It is my go to, no fail, wonderfully moist, favorite chocolate cake ever! Love it!

Review 8/14/2010 10:33:30 PM by sxyplatana:
OMG!!! I am sitting here savoring this chocolaty piece of heaven...and i'm thinkin I HAVE to remember to write a review!! this just SO good that i decided to write b4 I even finish to make sure i dont forget. i am a huge chocolate cake fan...and this is just....omg...so unbelievably perfect!! moist, not too sweet, not too much.P-E-R-F-E-C-T!! the cake the frosting everything! easy to make. Dont hesitate! make it now!! u will not regret it!!!!!

Review 8/14/2010 2:44:03 PM by MsDallas:
My Gramma made this when I was a little girl. I have passed the recipe to my daughter and she, I hope will pass it on to her daughter! It was first printed on the can of Hershey cocoa and was called Hot Water Cake, I believe or Hershey's Hot Water Cake. It's the very best, very moist cake I've ever had or made. No need for frosting either, Great just plain!

Review 8/11/2010 2:02:22 AM by Becky003:
Quick question: Just to be sure, you use sweetened hershey's cocoa right? not unsweetened?

Review 8/4/2010 11:47:49 PM by pchefbeka:
Made this cake for the first time a few months ago with wheat flour only & it was a runny mess in my oven. Retried it yesterday for my daughter's 11th birthday and it was absolutely delicious! I'll never by another boxed cake mix! :)

Review 8/2/2010 9:16:47 PM by m.irurzun:
OH MY GOD!!!! My husband and i devoured this. I used 2 10" round pans and made 4 layers. I made extra icing and put between. It seeped into the layers a little bit overnight and it tasted even better the next day!!! Tip on the icing: use a whisk and stir gently by hand. For some reason when i did the exact same thing with the mixer, it came out too watery. Also, butter should be just melted, and no so hot that it is separating. ENJOY!

Review 8/1/2010 3:03:14 PM by Sheilabt62:
This cake is one of the best I've ever made. I do add 3/4 cup oil instead of 1/2 cup to make it more moist, and it is delicious! I have taken it to gatherings of friends and family, and it is always a hit. Rich, moist and chocolatey...my kind of cake!

Review 7/29/2010 2:50:39 PM by nspencer:
I followed the directions and put the batter into two standard 9-inch round baking pans, but both pans spilled over in my oven!! I didn't know what to do! I kept baking because the cake looked fine in general and it was for my dad's birthday, but I was afraid the smoke detector would sound or the spilled-over cake would catch fire. Cake turned out to be delicious in the end!

Review 7/15/2010 12:31:44 PM by martiarbuckle:
great - i use butter and add extra cocoa and vanilla. i also use evaporated mild (diluted a bit with water).

Review 7/7/2010 10:10:15 PM by jenniferbutz:
WOW! This cake turned out PERFECT! I LOVE this cake and it is SO easy to make! I even did the frosting, put it in 2 heart cake pans, cooked it like the 3 layer cake! The cake AND the frosting turned out perfect. I even have leftover frosting!

Review 7/5/2010 1:50:44 AM by orijinale:
I made this cake in about two hours (incl. cooling time) and it came out perfect. But... I thought I ruined this cake because it shriveled up and felt like a sponge the minute I removed it from the oven. The cake was about to be trash but I was encouraged by a family member to go ahead and ice the cake and bring it to the party. Thank goodness I brought I followed this advice because it tasted awesome and had great consistency. Yum! Yum! Yum! and moist too.

Review 6/27/2010 9:17:48 AM by chunkatootal:
This recipe converted me from my religious use of box cakes. It is the first scratch cake I made and was amazing! It is so moist and not too sweet. My family loves it! I havent looked to the box since!

Review 6/24/2010 10:12:12 AM by difelicec:
Delicious, moist cake and frosting. Easy to prepare. I made this cake for a co-worker. Everyone that ate this cake raved about how delicious and moist it was......not sure there's a better chocolate cake recipe to use!

Review 6/19/2010 9:28:22 PM by xoash717xo:
The cake is really delicious... chocolatey without being overpowering and pretty moist. The frosting is to DIE for! Its so rich and chocolatey, except I used double the amount of milk. Recipe calls for 1/3 cup I used about 2/3 or more because although it was good, it was thick, hard to spread, and a little too sugary and grainy. The extra milk yields for a smooth, creamy, and rich frosting you can eat lots of!

Review 6/9/2010 4:30:50 PM by lstassin:
Cake is moist and yummy, frosting is rich and gooey. Definitely a crowd pleaser at home and at the office.

Review 6/6/2010 12:43:06 PM by Karenow:
This recipe is so reliable--follow the directions EXACTLY. Don't try Splenda, don't adjust anything and it will turn out great. I've used this as my go-to chocolate batter for 9x13 cakes, layer cakes and cupcakes for a couple of years now and still think it is the best recipe when you need chocolate batter.

Review 6/3/2010 2:32:14 PM by ckallimanis:
My favorite chocolate cake. My mother baked it when I was a child and now I bake it. Best with homemade whipped cream for icing.

Review 5/30/2010 8:50:14 AM by kitten301:
This is my favorite chocolate cake recipe. I add a bit of extra cocoa to the frosting. My colleagues ask me to make this for every get together we have. The texture of the cake and the richness of the frosting are without equal.

Review 5/23/2010 10:18:24 PM by southpaw79:
This is my FAVORITE cake to make. I no longer use a box mix for chocoalte. This cake is sooooo easy that I can whip one up in no time. It is by far the BEST chocolate cake ever!

Review 5/21/2010 9:58:12 AM by lmswilliams:
Great cake!

Review 5/19/2010 3:29:25 PM by LeahK:
I have, as the other reviewer said, officially dumped all my other chocolate cake recipes (except for one that was my mom's made with buttermilk that is divine) and my husband said that this is the best chocolate cake I have ever made (except again, for the chocolate buttermilk one). I have to say that not only is this easy - all ingredients dumped in one big bowl, use a hand mixer, add boiling water at end - took me 10 minutes. The cake rose perfectly and stayed up - no falling down. It was springy to the touch and the two layers made a very impressive cake. The frosting is perfect, too. I whipped up some whipping cream to top each slice off - absolute perfection. Glad I found this site and will search for more ideas! I will probably even use this for my July 4th sheet cake and make it in the 9 x 13 pan and use a white buttercream frosting so I can decorate the top in red stripes(raspberries) and blue stars (blueberries)!

Review 5/16/2010 5:28:04 PM by JGallo:
This cake is just as moist and delicious as all of the reviews say it is. I used the Hershey's Special Dark cocoa in both the cake and the frosting and it was to die for!

Review 5/16/2010 3:35:09 PM by catcope:
This is by far the best chocolate cake recipe. It is SO moist and rich. I always frost it with cream cheese frosting and people just cannot get enough. So easy to make and comes out perfect every time.

Review 5/6/2010 12:30:23 PM by BellesAZ:
This cake has an interesting history at my house! It's the ONLY cake my husband asks for and he's a chocoholic. Well, the first time I made him this cake, he asked me to marry him. The next time I made this cake, I was awoken at 3AM to scary noises in our house. I followed the noise out to the kitchen and I caught my husband IN THE ACT! Stealing a slice of cake and a glass of milk. We've been married for 11 years now and every year, he asks for only this cake on his birthday. He's a lover of chocolate mousse, so this year I'm going to slice each layer in half and fill with the chocolate mousse recipe on this site. I am expecting a piece of jewelry or a cruise vacation after this! LOL

Review 5/1/2010 11:50:54 AM by flavours13:
THE best cake recipe ever. I use the special dark cocoa and heavy cream instead of milk in the recipe and it turns out fantastic! Love it! I am going to be trying the frosting today. Hope it's good.

Review 4/26/2010 3:14:06 AM by melaniabn:
great recipe

Review 4/25/2010 9:05:23 PM by cmarshall2@hotmail.com:
This is my mother's favorite chocolate cake. It is a plus that it is so easy and the ingredients are usually on hand. I made it recently when my daughter's future inlaws came for dinner. Her fiance loves peanut butter so I used Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting from this wegbsite in between the layers. The cake was fabulous.

Review 4/24/2010 1:28:32 AM by paigemcdon:
This cake is awesome! It's well-written, easy to prepare and foolproof! The frosting literally tastes and has the creamy texture of the chocolate frosting in a tub . . . the cake is super moist. This is the kind of cake that makes every level of cook look good! My husband isn't even a big chocolate person and he LOVED it!!! The recipe is quit literal about the consistency of the batter . . . It is very runny and you literally have to pour it into the cake pan(s). I wouldn't want to try to make cupcakes with it. I checked on mine after baking for about 36-37 minutes. The edges looked a bit darker and "wet", but the toothpick in the center came out clean so I went ahead and took the cake out of the oven. I'm so glad that I did because as it cooled it took on the same appearance as the rest of the cake. When it was cut, the edge pieces were just as soft and moist as the ones in the center. Thanks, Hershey's for helping to make a 42-year-old beginning "scratch baker" look good! :)

Review 4/19/2010 3:11:47 PM by chococcino:
I made this recipe in cupcake form for my friends and they all had more than one! By the time I came around to having one they were all gone, so I can't tell you how I liked them. Based on the rave reviews my friends gave me, however, they were a hit. Definitely using this recipe again!

Review 4/18/2010 3:10:00 PM by Karenow:
This is my absolutely favorite chocolate cake. It's an easy recipe, very reliable. It keeps very well, too. Last time I made it, I ate the last piece 6 days after I baked it, and it was still great. Usually, though, it never lasts that long. It makes a great layer cake for decorating, but I'm more apt to bake it in a 13X9 pan because it's a great cake to take places. People always rave about it. The perfectly chocolate frosting is great, too.

Review 4/7/2010 11:55:00 PM by armstrong70:
I made this cake for my daughter's 21 birthday on monday so made the cakes on friday night and saturday morning ready for the fondant icing saturday night omg the cake was so moist on monday eaving when we cut her cake evrybody said how wonderful it was and it is still as fresh today (wednesday 7april) THE BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Review 3/28/2010 3:26:04 PM by BellesAZ:
It's still the best chocolate cake recipe ever! I've baked hundreds of cakes, but this is the one that keeps getting requests for repeats! When I bake one, my husband gets out of bed at 3AM and sneaks a slice with a glass of milk!

Review 3/24/2010 12:33:04 PM by Bailey06:
Yum

Review 3/24/2010 12:32:45 PM by Bailey06:
Great!

Review 3/20/2010 1:34:15 PM by emilye911:
Oh my gosh, I just made the icing and my daughter and I tasted it and we can not wait to put it on the cake and bit into it. I will never buy a box cake mix or store made icing again!!!!!!!!!!

Review 3/16/2010 6:25:59 AM by *J:
i just baked this cake and my cake turned out all dense and sticky...somewhat like a brownie...unlike fluffy normal cakes...is it meant to be like that? i'm so disappointed...my cakes never turn out this way...and it's for a very special occasion :(

Review 3/16/2010 1:43:22 AM by desert_jasmine:
I describe this cake as "chocolate bar in a cake"; very easy to make with a 5 star taste that children will also appreciate.

Review 3/12/2010 12:00:19 AM by mmihans:
I made this cake while visiting my parents and it didn't last through the weekend! Best EVER!

Review 3/10/2010 11:18:37 AM by dcvb:
I tried making this recipeand it ended up in a sloppy mess. The frosting was disqusting and the cake looked like a retarded brownie. Thanks A lot

Review 3/9/2010 5:18:07 PM by MacAttack18:
I made this for a combined birthday get-together. Did it without help from my parents. I used dark chocolate cocoa for the frost-it's delish. I also crushed up Thin Mint girl scout cookies and stuck it in the middle. QUITE A HIT AT SCHOOL!!

Review 3/6/2010 11:51:29 PM by kavimona:
i tried this cake yesterday.....it was so delicious. My friends simply loved it. The best chocolate cake.

Review 3/3/2010 8:24:58 PM by Nohemi:
Simply delicious chocolate cake, any chocolate lover will like it... a lot!!! Thanks for your recipes, they are excellent.

Review 3/2/2010 4:56:09 PM by dahulk377:
This was my first time baking ever and I will do it again. Thanks to this recipe and my brand new Kitchenaid, I can bake my wife a birthday cake...It trully was so easy to follow and fun to make

Review 3/1/2010 7:02:16 PM by Bayda:
This cake is awesome!

Review 2/25/2010 2:41:18 PM by kathyannjenkins:
This is the best chocolate cake. My children and grandchildren love it even without frosting.

Review 2/25/2010 2:20:08 PM by rmgstar:
This is the BEST chocolate cake recipe!! I've never had a cake more moist and rich with chocolate flavor. Delicious! A chocolate lover's dream...Works best for cakes as cupcakes will be so moist they will hardly maintain their shape (still great though). Excellent frosting. I love this cake.

Review 2/20/2010 6:14:15 PM by candacelynn:
this cake is too die for, it is very good with boiled icing,never lasts a day in my house. yum yum yum

Review 2/16/2010 2:11:37 PM by dfoyle45:
Been craving chocolate cake all week and this one sounds wonderful...so off to the kitchen!!!!! Thanks for the great reviews, it made my decision much easier to decide on what cake to make!!!!

Review 2/15/2010 1:19:16 PM by ladonnajennings:
Very easy! My daughter-in-law asks for it every year for her birthday! The whole family LOVES it!!!

Review 2/11/2010 12:22:28 PM by Lori613:
This cake turns out 'perfectly' every time and is definitely a crowd-pleaser. But if you don't have a crowd to please, it also freezes well.

Review 2/7/2010 7:44:21 PM by meladelerickson:
I have used this recipe before and loved it. I tried to make it today and it turned out awful. Instead of rising up, it rose out and all over my oven and my cupcake pan. Maybe it is baking at a different altitude of filling the pan up too much. Oh well. Hopefully it turns out next time.

Review 1/28/2010 2:05:09 PM by Shannera:
I followed this cake recipe to the "t" except using wholemeal flour instead of the white. It was amazing, so moist and stayed fresh for a few days. This will be the only chocolate cake I will make from now on, nothing else can compare to this wonderful chocolate cake.

Review 1/27/2010 6:28:05 PM by grandmommaof4:
This is the cake that everyone always asks me to make. Even my 16 year old granddaughter who doesn't like cake, loves this one! This is the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted!!

Review 1/23/2010 4:11:16 PM by edisto21:
This cake is so easy to make - almost as easy as a box mix. Quick too with things most people already have in the pantry. Delicious flavor. Very moist. I suggest doubling the icing recipe!

Review 1/21/2010 8:58:48 AM by paulaleg:
I first saw this recipe on Martha Stewart Living and thought it looked quite yummy so I made it and now it is the birthday cake every year for my youngest son. This year my husband requested it for his birthday. It is fabulous. It's rich and moist and there is never any left. I made the frosting recipe that comes with it only once and decided that the canned frosting was just as good without the extra effort, but I have used that recipe for other things because it is very good.

Review 1/19/2010 10:05:01 AM by ladychef1960:
This is one of the easiest chocolate cakes from scratch to bake. It's moist, rich and VERY flavorable! The cocoa fills your home with WONDERFUL aroma as it bakes. A highly recommended cake for all chocolate lovers of all ages.

Review 1/13/2010 10:29:26 PM by Rainyday:
I messed this up. I say I did because I've used similar recipes before and I know it SHOULD work. I thought I went by the recipe except for using 1/2 sugar and 1/2 Splenda. Could that have been what made it turn out flat and gummy? It's possible I measured something else wrong too but I don't know what. It was pretty hectic in my kitchen. I gave it 4 stars because the taste was excellent, just the texture was bad. I will try it again and be more careful to measure and NOT use Splenda. This is the first (and last) time I've ever baked with Splenda.

Review 1/7/2010 5:09:57 PM by v_pria:
This is the best recipe by far. It turned out so moist and soft and perfectly sweet. It is a perfect recipe for a perfect chocolate cake.

Review 12/30/2009 5:34:00 PM by NWAMPLER:
great

Review 12/29/2009 5:10:07 PM by rodesa:
The "chocolate cake" by far... this is a foolproof cake I ALWAYS make when don't wanna fail; also, it's so easy to prepare, and the ingredients are easy to find: it's moist, chocolatey, rich, and everybody is always asking for more: try it with "leche quemada" filling: simply heavenly!

Review 12/26/2009 9:05:32 PM by PamKinn:
I baked this cake for some true hard-core chocolate cake lovers. Everyone raved and said that it was the best chocolate cake they had ever had. I did make 50% more icing so I had a super generous layer between the two nine-inch round layers. They think I am a chocolate cake making rockstar with this recipe :) Just don't tell them how easy it was!

Review 12/26/2009 4:38:38 PM by credo:
This is the cake I had when I was a kid! I don't bake often or well and I refuse to buy cake mix or canned frosting. I love chocolate cake but I've never made a cake by scratch until now. I would just get Sprinkles cupcakes to satisfy my cake craving. Well this is the BEST cake I ever had and the fact that I baked it and it was easy is amazing. I made if for Christmas and everyone loves it. It's moist, delicious and easy just follow the recipe! Now I know where I can get one of the best chocolate cakes ever... from my own kitchen.

Review 12/19/2009 1:42:44 PM by jazbill:
Why would anyone buy a boxed mix when this is super easy and super delicious. This is my favorite chocolate cake recipe.

Review 12/19/2009 11:10:53 AM by bormannw:
EVERYONE I make this for thinks it's the best. My dad who doesn't like cake and isn't a fan of chocolate cakes in general, said it was "Heaven"!!

Review 12/16/2009 9:25:30 AM by redskins40:
great

Review 12/15/2009 4:26:07 PM by cass77788:
I have been baking this recipe for 15 years, it is no doubt the best recipe. Makes for the most superior cake ! Rich and delicious!

Review 12/13/2009 12:15:18 AM by brianna20012:
This dish was easy to make, and the best chocolate cake i've ever made!!!

Review 12/12/2009 8:58:12 AM by amariee:
My mom started using this cake when she made wedding cakes, now its the only chocolate cake we use. Its perfect

Review 12/8/2009 5:09:24 PM by SewSassy:
If I could give this chocolate cake recipe ten points, I surely would. I have used this recipe for 35 years, and have never had it fail to produce a delicious, moist, deep chocolate beautifully high cake. It's a favorite every time it's served.

Review 12/6/2009 6:52:23 PM by Kina1967:
I will never make another boxed chocolate cake mix again..this recipe is outstanding. I made it for a birthday this week and EVERYONE wanted 2 & 3 pieces. Friends were raving about it the next day! It is so moist & chocolaty and the frosting tastes like fudge candy..

Review 10/25/2009 7:29:02 PM by cynthiawinward:
This is so fast and easy that I make it often. However, here in Utah at high-altitude you MUST decrease the baking powder and baking soda to just 1/2 tsp each or else the cake will collapse.

Review 10/17/2009 11:42:58 PM by dzuhaidah:
it works the first time i tried it ..then i tried it over and over again..

Review 10/1/2009 1:11:22 PM by shirleydimples:
I first made this cake about 30 years ago...the perfect topping is 7 minute frosting.

Review 9/30/2009 9:30:14 PM by laura8280:
this is the best chocolate cake i've ever had! don't let the batter scare you after the boiling water... it is very runny.

Review 9/29/2009 5:47:23 PM by parker2010:
Sept. 29, 2009 I'm a year two student at the Sumter County Career Center and I'm taking the Culinary Arts class. Serveral students in my class have tried to impress my teacher with their "baking abilities" but I'm the only one that has won her over and I did it by making this cake. Also, not only did I impress my teacher, I also impress the students as well as the the other facilty and staff. On a regular ol' day, I would just be sitting in class and someone would come to the door begging my teacher to let me make them this cake. It's so easy to make, I just don't see how ANYONE could mess it up. It is so rich and full of flavor.

Review 9/22/2009 11:40:36 AM by jmathews:
I love easy recipes, and this was very easy. I made it for a picnic and had at least 5 people ask me for the recipe. I made home-made peanut butter icing instead of the chocolate icing. It was sooo moist and delicious. Highly recommend it.

Review 9/21/2009 12:48:35 PM by ajjones:
This was one of the first chocolate cakes I made from scratch and my family loved it, I had to make another one the next week.

Review 9/14/2009 8:48:50 PM by Pilar93:
Easy and delicious! The frosting alone is to die for!

Review 9/11/2009 11:35:36 AM by spacecitygirl:
I've been making this recipe for several years now. I first saw it on the Martha Stewart show, and had to try it out the same day. Its a foolproof, perfect chocolate cake. Its very moist, and the perfect cake consistency. I actually ice it with vanilla icing, as that's what my husband prefers, and its divine!

Review 9/3/2009 7:42:34 PM by jkalau:
I get rave reviews everytime I make this cake. When you chill the cake the icing turns into a fudge like consistency. Great with a cold glass of milk. Very easy to make and comes out the same way each time. Love it.

Review 9/1/2009 11:59:21 PM by jackiegirl34:
This cake is awesome. Very rich and moist. Love it, and so did my friends...

Review 8/31/2009 10:20:05 PM by sandiprudhomme:
this is awesome

Review 8/29/2009 6:33:00 AM by oomKhalid:
This was the easiest cake. And sooo delicious! I made it with my son who has Down Syndrone. He was very proud that he made a cake the everyone raved about.

Review 8/19/2009 12:47:01 PM by halllisa:
Hands down the BEST chocolate cake!

Review 8/5/2009 3:01:17 PM by dizzy1:
It was my very first non box cake that I made for my family and they loved it! Now I have to make it for the next birthday that is coming up!

Review 7/8/2009 9:04:28 AM by karenb3597:
I have used this recipe ever since I found it on the box. I use fresh brewed espresso instead of water, YUM! It is perfect every time.

Review 5/17/2009 7:10:43 PM by seriouscakes:
I love this cake!! I've been making it for a few years now, everyone I know thinks it's the best chocolate cake they've ever had :D Here's a video showing step-by-step http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuuPdhhh1UY

Review 4/19/2009 1:49:57 PM by ann mchugh:
Delicious !!! I made this cake for my fathers 74th birthday party and the cake was a big hit with everyone (young and old). It is a lovely moist, light cake with a rich chocolate taste. This cake is better that anything you can buy. I will be making this cake again. Thanks.

Review 4/11/2009 9:41:12 PM by arpruss:
I substituted whole wheat flour for 1/3 of the flour required (adds texture and makes taste a bit more interesting--I now substitute about 1/4 to 1/2 whole wheat flour in just about every recipe I make, from pancakes to chocolate chip cookies). I dumped 12oz of the special dark chocolate chips in the batter. I also increased the amount of frosting by 50%, though slightly reducing the proportion of sugar, and replacing 1/3 of the butter with Neufchatel. The results were great.

Review 2/10/2009 6:22:25 PM by treybg:
I tried this recipe and carried it to the office to share with my coworkers and everyone raved about how good it was. It is so moist and delicious.

Review 1/18/2009 11:31:11 AM by angiered:
This cake takes a little longer to make but it turns out very moist and delicious. My family thought it was the best chocolate cake they have ever eaten. The iicing was the favorite. I made cupcakes out of it. YUMMY!!!!! Will use again.

Review 1/12/2009 9:35:38 AM by medusa:
I only started baking cakes from scratch a few years ago when I found out my son had a peanut allergy

Review 12/7/2008 2:53:57 AM by NYTab101:
This is the Best Chocolate Frosting I've Ever Made!! I've tried many different recipes but this one is Fabulous!!! I didn't use this on this cake recipe... but I will definately make the cake too!!

Review 10/30/2008 3:31:42 PM by smurfys:
I made this cake for the first time last night and it is awesome!!! Definitely the best chocolate cake I have ever made. It's not dense and heavy like the one I used to make. I am throwing out my old recipe. This is the ONLY chocolate cake I will make from now on. The chocolate icing is awesome as well!!

Review 10/1/2008 2:38:47 PM by tlschubert:
This is my family's all-time favorite cake recipe. Often cakes made from scratch can be dry, dense or crumbly but this cake is perfection from it's soft smooth texture to it's "perfectly" chocolate flavor.

Review 9/29/2008 1:08:12 PM by Squeeky:
This is definitely one of the best chocolate cakes I have made from scratch.

Review 9/15/2008 3:15:01 PM by ladycake:
This is my favorite cake of all time. I used to bake and decorate wedding and special occassion cakes and this recipe was always a hit! I have tried other chocolate cakes, but none compare to this one. It is quick, easy and very, very delicious! It goes great with a basic buttercream or a peanut butter icing. Enjoy!!!

Review 9/12/2008 6:11:03 PM by Sunny Jo:
I made this cake recipe for the first time last week and it was such a hit with family and friends. This cake is so moist, so chocolatey. This is a keeper for sure. I made some peanut butter icing to top it off and it was delicious. Absolutely the BEST cake ever!!

Review 9/9/2008 7:26:17 PM by shelwestfall:
I had this chocolate cake for the first time when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter twenty eight years ago. It's still as wonderful now as it was then. It's my favorite chocolate cake recipe....moist, has a perfect texture, and rich with chocolately flavor.

Review 8/10/2008 10:07:48 PM by joannath:
Best Chocolate Cake ever. Everyone who has tried it loves it. Lots of request for the recipe. Easy to make. Perfect everytime we have made it.

Review 7/24/2008 7:02:38 AM by sueharris22:
This is my family's favorite recipe. Very dark and moist. Excellant flavor and easy to make.

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